Digital Quality of Life Understanding the Personal & Social Benefits of the Information Technology Revolution Robert D. Atkinson & Daniel D. Castro October 2008 I Digital Quality of Life Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank the following individuals for providing input to the report: David K. Aylward, Peter Black, Shawn DuBravac, Jay Camdus, Dan Chenok, John Kamensky, Mary McCain, James Cortada, Angela Mickalide, Dawn Morehouse, Jon Peha, Karen Peltz Strauss, Valerie Rickman, Robert G. Rogers, Ken Salaets, Wayne Schroeder and Paul Taylor. In addition, we would like to thank ITIF staff Ameya Ananth, Stephen Ezell and Torey Liepa. Any errors or omissions are the authors’ alone. About the Authors Dr. Robert D. Atkinson is President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. Daniel D. Castro is a Senior Analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. Scott M. Andes is a Research Assistant at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. Daniel K. Correa is a former Research Analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. Geoff Dailyis the editor of App-Rising.com. Jonathan L. Giffordis a professor in the School of Public Policy at George Mason University. Julie A. Hedlund is a former Senior Analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. About the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation ITIF is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy think tank committed to articulating and advancing a pro-productivity, pro-innovation and pro-technology public policy agenda internationally, in Washington DC and the states. Recogniz- ing the vital role of technology in ensuring American prosperity, ITIF focuses on innovation, productivity, and digital economy issues. Technological innovation, particularly in information technology, is at the heart of America’s growing economic pros- perity. Crafting effective policies that boost innovation and encourage the widespread “digitization” of the economy is critical to ensuring robust economic growth and a higher standard of living. However, as in any new and changing situa- tion, policymakers have varied awareness of what is needed and what will work. In some cases legislators have responded to new and complex technology policy issues with solutions more suited for the old economy. And as the innovation economy has become increasingly important, opposition to it from special interests has grown. Finally, the excitement that the press, pundits and decision makers showed toward the information technology (IT) revolution in the 1990s has all too often been replaced with an attitude of “IT doesn’t matter.” It is time to set the record straight—IT is still the key driver of productivity and innovation. As a result, the mission of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation is to help policymakers at the fed- eral and state levels to better understand the nature of the new innovation economy and the types of public policies needed to drive innovation, productivity and broad-based prosperity for all Americans. ITIF publishes policy reports, holds forums and policy debates, advises elected officials and their staff, and is an active resource for the media. It develops new and creative policy proposals to advance innovation, analyzes existing policy issues through the lens of advancing innovation and productivity, and opposes policies that hinder digital transformation and innovation. To find out more about the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, please contact us at 1250 I Street, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005. E-mail: [email protected]. Phone: (202) 449-1351. Web: www.innovationpolicy.org II Digital Quality of Life Table of Contents Part I – The Digital Information Revolution Chapter 1: Why is the Digital Information Revolution So Powerful? . 1 by Robert D. Atkinson Chapter 2: Why is the Information Revolution Happening Now? . 7 by Robert D. Atkinson Chapter 3: Public Policy Principles for Driving Digital Quality of Life . 11 by Robert D. Atkinson and Daniel D. Castro 1. Look to Digital Progress as the Key Driver of Improved Quality of Life 2. Invest in Digital Progress 3. Ensure Affordable and Widespread Digital Infrastructure 4. Encourage Widespread Digital Literacy and Digital Technology Adoption 5. Do Not Let Concerns About Potential or Hypothetical Harms Derail or Slow Digital Progress 6. Do Not Just Digitize Existing Problems; Use IT to Find New Solutions to Old Problems 7. Create Reusable Digital Content and Applications 8. Collaborate and Partner with the Private and Non-Profit Sectors 9. Lead by Example 10. Nudge Digital Part II – Improving the Lives of Individuals Chapter 4: Education and Training . 15 by Daniel K. Correa • Improving Learning Outcomes and Serving Multiple Learning Styles • Expanding Access to Education • The Effectiveness of IT in Schools Chapter 5: Health Care . 25 by Daniel D. Castro • Reducing Health Care Costs • Increasing Access to Health Information • Improving Quality of Care • Increasing Access to Health Care Chapter 6: Personal Safety . 41 by Geoff Daily • Securing Homes from Crime and Other Hazards • Reducing Auto Theft • Protecting Individuals in Their Homes and Elsewhere • Avoiding Loss • Making Vehicles Safer III Digital Quality of Life • Preventing Accidents • Responding to Emergencies Chapter 7: Accessibility for People with Disabilities . 49 by Daniel D. Castro • Assistive Technology • Adaptive Technology • Accessible Technology • Moving Forward with Accessibility Chapter 8: Recreation and Entertainment . 55 by Geoff Daily • Improving the Quality of Entertainment • Offering More Entertainment Choices • Allowing More Control of the Media Experience • Enabling Consumers to Participate in Creating Media Chapter 9: Access to Information . 65 by Geoff Daily • Growth of Information Online • The Power of People to Expand Information Availability and Access • Finding Information Expeditiously • Accessing Information from Anywhere Part III – Improving Our World Chapter 10: Environment . 73 by Daniel K. Correa • Creating a Cleaner World: Pollution and Waste Mitigation • Preserving Biodiversity: Resource Conservation and Saving Endangered Species Chapter 11: Energy . 85 by Daniel K. Correa. • Substituting Energy-Efficient Digital Connections for Physical Travel • Enabling More Energy-Efficient Practices and Processes • Rewriting the Rules of Electricity Production, Distribution, and Consumption • Reducing Energy Use in the IT Infrastructure Itself • Conclusion: IT’s Net Impact in the Energy Realm Chapter 12: Transportation . 103 by Jonathan L. Gifford • Improving Access to Transportation-Related Information • Improving Transportation Safety • Improving Transportation System Monitoring and Management IV Digital Quality of Life Chapter 13: Public Safety . 113 by Daniel D. Castro and Julie A. Hedlund • Keeping the Nation Safe • Preventing and Detecting Crime • Responding to Crime • Facilitating Emergency Communications • Coping with Accidents and Natural Disasters Chapter 14: Government . 137 by Daniel D. Castro • Making Government More Efficient • Improving Government Services • Facilitating Citizens’ Access to Information • Promoting Government Transparency and Accountability Chapter 15: Communities . 147 by Robert D. Atkinson and Daniel D. Castro • Expanding Choices and Opportunities for Communities • Strengthening Personal Relationships • Fostering Social Ties and Civic Engagement • Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility Chapter 16: Developing Countries . 159 by Scott M. Andes and Julie A. Hedlund • Creating Better Markets and Economic Opportunities • Expanding Access to Capital • Making Government More Transparent • Increasing Educational Opportunities • Improving Health Care • Looking Forward Part IV – Challenges Moving Forward Chapter 17: Challenges Moving Forward . 171 by Robert D. Atkinson and Daniel D. Castro • Privacy • Information Security • Information Overload • Antisocial Behavior • The Digital Divide • Cybertribalism • E-Waste • Conclusion V Digital Quality of Life Boxes & Figures • Figure 2-1: Transistor Growth in Intel Computer Processor Chips • Box 5-1: Per Capita Investments in Health IT by the United States and Other Countries • Box 5-2: National Strategies for Health IT Around the World • Box 8-1: The Networked Living Room • Box 8-2: Entertainment in Your Pocket • Box 8-3: Entertainment in the Car • Box 11-1: E-Paper: The Printed Word in the 21st Century • Box 13-1: IT and the Fight Against Human Trafficking VI 1. Why Is the Digital Information Revolution So Powerful? 1. Why Is the Digital Information Revolution So Powerful? n the new global economy, information technology (IT) is the major driver of both economic growth and improved quality of life. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation I(ITIF) in its 2007 report Digital Prosperity: Understanding the Eco- nomic Benefits of the Information Technology Revolution documented how IT, since the mid-1990s, has been the principal driver of in- creased economic growth not only in the United States but also in many other nations.1 In the present report, we show that IT is also at the core of dramatic improvements in the quality of life for indi- viduals around the world: IT is the key enabler of many, if not most, 1 Digital Quality of Life of today’s key innovations and improvements in our utopians could dream about. lives and society—from better education and health To be sure, advances in information technology care, to a cleaner and more energy efficient environ- have occurred